History Walks Of Bonita Springs
The BSHS has pleased to provide a series of educational and entertaining history walks in our downtown. There are several different walk itineraries, each focusing on a particular area and with different stories. See below to reserve and prepay for a $10 discount.

See below for dates & details of upcoming Walks. Private history Walks may be arranged for your group with a minimum of 10 participants, or $200 for Walks ($300 for the Wonderment Walk).
Note that the cost per person is $10 less if reserved and prepaid with credit card via Paypal (within 24 hours advance of Walk date), as opposed to paying the day of Walk. The Paypal pricing reflects this discount.
First needed is to select desired Walk and date from drop down menu below, (by clicking on the first date and menu will appear).
Once correct date is selected, click the "Add to Cart" button which will take you to secure Paypal webpage. Then verify walk date and select the number of participants (Quantity) on Paypal link page. You may select to pay with a credit card and do not need a Paypal account.

NOTES:
* The online prepay price is $20 per person, except for the Places of Wonderment walk which $30/pp as it includes entrance free to the Everglades Wonder Gardens.
* Please arrive a few minutes (10 minutes or so) early to register (we have a sign-in questionnaire form) so we can start on time. Tours normally last 1.5 to 2 hours. All tours are on Saturdays, except the Feb 13th Bonita Lovers Walk.
* Funding to support these walks is provided by Lee County Visitors Bureau. As part of the grant requirement, we will need to collect demographic data, such as they want to know if you are a local resident, seasonal or visitor. Please bring a pen to fill out the form, or you may download the form to be emailed with your pre-tour participation notes (including parking map), to complete and bring to the walk, saving us time.
* There are no refunds for "no shows" if you do not attend, however a credit can be given for a future Walk with advance notice. For payments the morning of Walk, it is additional $10 per person from the online prepay price and to be paid in Cash or Check only. Refunds will be provided if the Walk is cancelled by the BSHS.
* Lunch is NOT included on any of the Walks, however there are good downtown restaurants.
* For the safety of all during this time of Covid, the wearing of masks is suggested. Most of the touring is conducted outside. Group size is limited to 50 participants.
* Since we will be outdoors and walking, we suggest comfortable shoes, drinking water, a hat and sunscreen, and umbrella if chance of rain.
* An email with notes (including parking maps) and registration form will be sent upon booking from the BSHS in addition to the automated Paypal payment confirmation.
* For questions in advance, you may email info@bonitaspringshistoricalsociety.org, or call the BSHS at 239-992-6997. For day of Walk contacts for cancelations or directions, call Charlie at 239-992-6133.
DATES:
- Saturday, Dec 18th, 2021 at 6:30pm, Bonita Holiday Lights
- Saturday, Jan 8, 2022, at 10am, Land of the Calusa
- Saturday, Jan 29, at 10am, How Bonita Got Its Name
- Saturday, Feb 5, at 10am, Places of Wonderment
- Sunday, Feb 13, at 11am, Bonita Lover’s Walk
- Saturday, Feb 19, at 10am, Downtown Landmarks
- Saturday, March 12, at 10am, How Bonita Got Its Name
- Saturday, March 26, at 10am, Cruising Down The River
- Saturday, April 9 at 10am, Land of the Calusa
- Saturday, April 23 at 10am, Places of Wonderment
- Saturday, May 14 at 10am, Downtown Landmarks
- Saturday, May 28 at 10am, Cruising Down The River
GUIDES:
Your primary guide will be Charlie Strader, who has lived in Bonita Springs for over 44 years. He is past president of the Bonita Springs Historical Society, the City of Bonita Springs' Historic Preservation Board, and the Southwest Florida Archaeological Society. Guest guides may also accompany on the tours.
2021-2022 HISTORY WALKS

BONITA HOLIDAY LIGHTS: December 18, 2021
Saturday, 6:30 - 8:30pm, Cost $20 in advance, $30 the day of.
An evening walk through our beautiful lighted Downtown parks to see the City's decorations and see why people come from miles around to enjoy. Visit the historic 1915 McSwain House, learn about our town’s history, and hear stories along the way.
Start/End at Liles Hotel History Center in Riverside Park. Total walk distance is about 1 mile and tour duration of 1.5 to 2 hours. Meet at 6:30 PM at the Liles Hotel in Riverside Park, 27300 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs, FL 34135.
LAND OF THE CALUSA: January 8 & April 9, 2022
Saturday, 10am to 12pm, Cost $20 in advance, $30 the day of.

Start/End at Liles Hotel History Center in Riverside Park. Total walk distance is about 1 mile and tour duration of 1.5 to 2 hours. Meet at 10am at the Liles Hotel in Riverside Park, 27300 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs, FL 34135.

HOW BONITA GOT ITS NAME: January 29 & March 12, 2022
Saturday, 10am to 12pm, Cost $20 in advance, $30 the day of.

Start/End at the Shangri La Resort. Total walk distance is about 2 miles and tour duration of 1.5 to 2 hours. Meet at 10am at the Shangri-La, 27580 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs, FL 34135.

PLACES OF WONDERMENT: February 5 & April 23, 2022
Saturday, 10am to 12pm, Cost $30 in advance, $40 the day of.

Start/End at Liles Hotel History Center in Riverside Park. Total walk distance is about 1 mile and tour duration of 1.5 to 2 hours. Meet at 10am at the Liles Hotel, 27300 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs, FL 34135.

BONITA LOVERS WALK: February 13, 2022
Sunday, 11am - 1pm, Cost $20 in advance, $30 the day of.

This is also a day of the acclaimed National Arts Festival held downtown, so you may stay to enjoy enjoy and shop!
Start/End at McSwain House. Total walk distance is about 2 miles and tour duration of 1.5 to 2 hours. Meet at 11:00 AM at the McSwain House, 27451 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs, FL 34135. A parking map will be sent.

DOWNTOWN LANDMARKS: February 19 & May 14, 2022
Saturday, 10am to 12pm, Cost $20 in advance, $30 the day of.

Start/End at Liles Hotel History Center in Riverside Park. Total walk distance is about 1 miles and tour duration of 1.5 to 2 hours. Meet at 10am at the Liles Hotel, 27300 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs, FL 34135.

CRUISIN’ DOWN THE RIVER: March 26 & May 28, 2022
Saturday, 10am to 12pm, Cost $20 in advance, $30 the day of.

Start/End at Liles Hotel History Center in Riverside Park. Total walk distance is about 2 miles and tour duration of 1.5 to 2 hours. Meet at 10am at the Liles Hotel, 27300 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs, FL 34135.

GHOST WALK
Listen to mysterious local tales, meet a historic ghost, and learn about fascinating characters of our past, from Calusa chiefs and Spanish explorers to the Piper brothers of the Everglades Wonder Gardens. (Available for private groups)

MONUMENTS, ARTS & CULTURE

BOOKING: Note that the cost per person is $10 less if reserved and prepaid with credit card via Paypal (within 24 hours advance of Walk date), as opposed to paying the day of Walk. The Paypal pricing reflects this discount.
First needed is to select desired Walk and date from drop down menu below, (by clicking on the first date and menu will appear).
Once correct date is selected, click the "Add to Cart" button which will take you to secure Paypal webpage. Then verify walk date and select the number of participants (Quantity) on Paypal link page. You may select to pay with a credit card and do not need a Paypal account.
CUSTOM AND GROUP TOURS
We’ll bring history to your group, friends, or business associates with creative custom events:

> Socials & Teas at the Society’s 1915 McSwain House
> Downtown bicycle tours
> Imperial River paddle history tour
> Trolley tours
> Private social and business meetings
> History presentations at your location or ours
Call us at 239-992-6997 or email info@BonitaSpringsHistoricalSociety.org and we’ll make it happen!
For History Walk reservations, call 239-992-6997, or email info@bonitaspringshistoricalsociety.org

> Click Here to view other upcoming events.